Help Please!

when I was 21, I was diagnosed incorrectly with IBS. even on medication, I would still have severe cramping and diahrea. 5 years ago, I went to a new doctor with this complaint and bad headaches. she had me try a gluten free diet. she felt testing was not needed at this point since it could still come up negative even if I was just sensitive and she felt it wasn't worth the cost when the diet would be the cure. so like a miracle, the diahrea and bad cramping stopped. but I was still getting major headaches. when I went back to the doctor, she also took me off of all preservatives that were not natural. that seems to have done the trick unless I start getting a cold or other virus. does me not tolerating preservatives have anything to do with gluten? my husband sais it does, but then again, he really dosnt know anything about the disease because he still tries to tell me that a bite won't hurt me which I know that it will. I am still learning. I am currently recovering from an accidental consumption of gluten last night from an over the counter natural sleep medication. this is the first time in months, and also the worst. it normally used to last no longer than 2 hrs. this time, the bad cramping lasted for 12 hours, and now all I want to do is sleep. will this get worse as time goes by with accidental gluten consumption?

Unfortunately, our reactions are often worse after being gluten-free for a while. My gut symptoms used to be very mild, but I got glutened a while back and I was SICK!

The preservative thing makes sense to me too. When I first started it seemed I had troble with everything. I had gut reactions to sweet potatoes and leafy greens. The nutritionist I saw told me my gut was so torn up I was reacting to pesticide and artificial fertilizer residues, and that I should go completely organic for a while. I did, and it worked.

You may be able to handle preservatives after you have healed. But it might take a while. Give it time. For me it took almost a year. But that should be no big deal. You should be eating whole foods right now instead of processed stuff anyway. Meats, fresh fruits and vegetables. Eventually you will be able to add back other foods.

Have your husband read here, or show him other websites that explain celiac disease. He needs to know that even a tiny amount of gluten will do damage so that he will be extra careful around the kitchen. If he uses your butter or condiments for example, he will contaminate them and you WILL get sick. There is a lot to learn, but it becomes second nature after a while.

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gluten-free since June, 2011

It took 3 !/2 years but my intolerances to corn, soy, and everything else (except gluten) are gone!